Last Updated on July 6, 2024 by Editorial Team
We cannot stress the importance of highlighting a student’s positive behavior in front of the class and parents. After all, positive reinforcement is the backbone of instilling good habits and behaviors in children. But what about negative behaviors? Often, teachers have a positive classroom behavior list to refer to and access to behavior tracking apps wherein they track every student’s behavior.
Usually, teachers try to handle a student’s negative behavior at their level without making it the talk of the town so that the student doesn’t feel pointed at. However, there are some instances when it becomes necessary for teachers to share their concerns with parents so even they can contribute to bringing in a positive shift in their child’s behavior.
Discussing negative student behavior with parents can be challenging. One way to convey your message to parents and students is via report cards. These written assessments, which talk about a student’s academic progress and conduct, are an excellent means of sharing feedback. When you’re giving your feedback, especially about a negative behavior you have observed in a particular student, you must be careful with your word choices so you don’t sound too harsh but can send your message across respectfully.
If you have been having a tough time on how to write negative behavior comments in your student’s report card, take some time to go through this write-up as we have shared some common negative behaviors exhibited by students and ideas on how you can write an effective comment to share with concerned parents.
Negative student behaviors and how to present them in the report card
1. Disrupting class by talking out of turn or interrupting others.
———– is doing great when it comes to completing tasks and assignments on time. One area I would like him/her to improve is engaging in respectful communication by actively listening to others and waiting patiently for their turn to speak to help create a more inclusive learning environment for everyone.
2. Engaging in disrespectful or rude behavior towards teachers or peers.
———– needs to work toward building positive and supportive relationships with peers and teachers through kind and respectful interactions so that everyone in the class feels valued and appreciated.
3. Showing a lack of focus or attention during lessons or activities.
———– has the potential to maintain a focused mindset and engage actively in lessons and activities. All he needs to do is unlock this potential and build an attentive approach to improve in academics.
4. Failing to complete assignments on time.
———– has always been helpful and respectful toward her peers. At present, she needs to proactively take steps to manage her time effectively so she can turn in her assignments on time. By taking a timely and organized approach, she will find herself on the path to building a successful life.
5. Being unprepared for class and not bringing the required materials.
———– often comes to the class unprepared, forgetting to bring the necessary materials required for the lesson. As ———– is good at working on his weaknesses, I believe he will learn to give importance to class preparation so he can be well-prepared for learning and expanding his knowledge and skills.
6. Displaying a negative attitude towards learning or expressing disinterest in the subject matter.
———– is a good-at-heart student whose friends appreciate her for her kindness. However, she also needs to build a positive attitude and interest in learning. By focusing more on the subject matter taught in class, she can make her learning experience more enjoyable.
7. Engaging in excessive socializing, even during class hours.
———– filled with curiosity and social energy, which helps her develop meaningful social connections. However, excessive socializing, especially during class, hinders her academic achievement. By finding a balance between focused attention during class and social interactions, she can improve on the academic front as well.
8. Engaging in bullying or teasing classmates.
———– is good at academics and sports and often does well in these spheres. However, there have been instances of bullying and teasing other students. We would like ———– to be more empathetic, understanding, and kind toward his classmates. By doing so, he can help create an inclusive environment and will be highly valued for doing so.
9. Lacking respect for classroom rules or disregarding instructions.
———– has been displaying adequate development in academics, social, as well as emotional front. One aspect she can strive to improve this academic year is following classroom rules and instructions diligently. By respecting the guidelines set in place, she can support positive learning experiences for everyone.
10. Being excessively talkative or disruptive during independent or group work.
———– is an ambitious student with an active mind. She can do much better if she works on diverting her energies to classroom tasks and not being disruptive and talkative during lessons.
11. Being uncooperative or resistant to following directions from teachers.
Not being receptive to the guidance offered by teachers is not a good choice. You need to understand that these instructions are designed to support your growth and development. By cultivating a willingness to work collaboratively with your teachers, you can find your way to meaningful achievements which you are capable of.
12. Showing no effort or motivation in completing tasks or participating in class activities.
You have always been a good student. But lately, I have noticed that you lack the motivation to participate in class discussions and complete given tasks. I am here to have an open discussion and help you out!
13. Engaging in cheating or dishonest behaviors during assessments.
We need to address a concerning behavior that has come to our notice. __________ was found displaying dishonest practices during assessments. As we believe that academic integrity is vital for personal growth and character development, we would be guiding _________ to make good choices in the future that will lay a solid moral foundation.
14. Using inappropriate language at school.
_________ is an active participant in class and is always eager to learn. Of late, we have observed a change in language choices while interacting with peers. As appropriate language is the key to fostering good communication skills, we would like you to talk to your child about the importance of having respectful conversations. Our collaborative efforts will support _______ in making thoughtful and considerate language choices in the future.
15. Not taking care of personal belongings or class materials.
You are a hardworking student with immense potential. You just need to develop a sense of responsibility for class materials and your personal belongings. Doing so will instill a valuable skill that will stay with you for life!
16. Displaying aggressive behavior, such as pushing, hitting, or fighting with others.
________ is an enthusiastic learner and great at sports. Right now, he needs to focus on learning strategies to manage his frustrations and resolve conflicts peacefully instead of becoming aggressive to prove his point. Positive conflict-resolution skills will empower him to find constructive ways to express himself.
17. Taking others’ belongings without permission.
I want to inform you that there have been a few instances where _______ was found taking other students’ belongings without their permission. We are doing our part to guide _______ to learn the importance of personal boundaries and respecting other people’s belongings. We would like you to emphasize the value of honesty at home so _______ refrains from doing so again. We appreciate your cooperation on this.
18. Lacking empathy towards classmates or not demonstrating kindness.
________ displays strong leadership skills in school. But sometimes, the natural leader within her becomes too assertive and fails to recognize her classmates’ feelings. We would like her to embrace a little more kindness and compassion, which will help her become a positive inspiration for other students.
19. Engaging in excessive or disruptive use of electronic devices during class time.
While the use of technology is vital in today’s age, it would be better if _______ practices mindful use of electronic devices and avoids it entirely during instruction time. By making fair choices on the usage of electronics, ________ can participate more in class activities and enrich his educational experience.
20. Being consistently late or absent from class without a valid reason.
________ is a cheerful and thoughtful student. But recently, she has been late to class and sometimes absent without an appropriate reason. I would like her to return to her previous self when she demonstrates consistency in timely arrival and not being absent unless necessary.
21. Disrupting class by talking out of turn or interrupting others.
I love _______‘s eagerness to contribute to class discussions. However, many times he/she fails to realize he/she is interrupting others while talking. This often disturbs the flow of thoughts of other students. I hope he/she can work on this so every student gets a fair opportunity to share their views with everyone.
I have noticed _______ speaking out of turn quite a few times lately. Please understand that we encourage respectful communication in the classroom, and speaking out of turn is not part of it. As _____ is such a quick learner, I am sure he/she will soon learn to wait for his/her turn before sharing his/her thoughts in class.
22. Engaging in disrespectful or rude behavior towards teachers or peers.
This is to bring to your attention that _______ often exhibits rude behavior towards his/her fellow mates. So, we would like him/her to correct this behavior so none of the students are hurt and he/she is able to build an amicable relationship with everyone in class.
Though _______ is good at studying, I would like her to work on how she interacts with others. There have been instances when she was found disrespecting her teachers and not listening to them. Please remind her that this is unacceptable behavior and that changing her ways will help her create healthy relationships with her teachers.
23. Showing a lack of focus or attention during lessons or activities.
While _______ has a lively and friendly nature, I have observed that her focus tends to shift elsewhere during lessons or activities. Encouraging _______ to actively participate and stay engaged will help her reach her full potential. I am confident that with support and guidance, she can develop stronger concentration skills.
I’ve noticed that _______ occasionally has difficulty staying attentive during class activities. This is impacting her learning and test scores. I am hopeful that with some support and attention at home and in school, _______ will soon develop the necessary focus to excel in studies once again.
24. Failing to complete assignments on time.
Although _______’s work is well done most of the time, there have been several instances when she submitted her assignments late. We are working together to establish a consistent routine so she can improve her punctuality and succeed in school.
_______ has great ideas, and his contributions in class are commendable. However, he has been turning in his assignments past the due date for many days. I would request that you help him set achievable deadlines and manage his workload so he can deliver his submissions on time.
25. Being unprepared for class and not bringing the required materials.
_______ often forgets to bring the required materials to class. Encouraging her to create a school preparation routine before bedtime can significantly improve their readiness and participation in class.
Though _______ is always ready to learn, her habit of coming to class unprepared is hindering her learning. Encouraging her to gather school supplies the night before will help her improve in this area.
26. Displaying a negative attitude towards learning or expressing disinterest in the subject matter.
_______ never seems to be interested in learning. This negative attitude is hampering his learning curve. We are trying to offer him more engaging activities and using real-life scenarios for explanations, hoping it might help increase his interest in the subjects.
_______ is having a hard time finding interest in any of the subjects taught in class. If this continues, I fear it might impact her learning and test scores in the upcoming exams.
27. Engaging in excessive socializing, even during class hours.
While _______ has great social skills, she tends to engage in too much socializing during instruction time, which can be disruptive for the entire class. I have set clear boundaries and informed her of the same, so she knows when it’s appropriate to socialize and when it’s not.
I’ve observed that _______ frequently talks to other students during lessons. This distracts them all, including the teacher, which hinders the flow of the lesson. I request that you please help him understand the importance of staying focused and not disturbing others during instructional time.
28. Engaging in bullying or teasing classmates.
It has come to my attention that _______ has been bullying other students. I would like to reiterate that our school has a strict no-bullying policy. Discussing the importance of treating others with respect at home will help _______ make better choices.
I have received several complaints of _______ engaging in bullying behavior towards his peers. It is important to address this behavior and teach him the importance of kindness and respect. I hope _______ can improve on this with proper guidance at school and home.
29. Lacking respect for classroom rules or disregarding instructions.
_______ has consistently not been following classroom rules. I would like her to improve on this in the coming term.
_______ often ignores instructions and classroom rules, affecting his own and others’ learning experiences. We are focusing on the importance of respect, cooperation, and following instructions, so he understands what is right.
30. Being excessively talkative or disruptive during independent or group work.
_______ can be a little chatty during group activities. This distracts everyone in the group, which often leads to their group completing the task way past the designated time. Concentrating on the task and discussing only task-related topics can solve this issue for ______ and everyone.
I would like to inform you that even repeated reminders have failed to stop ______ from talking excessively during lessons. I suggest we meet to discuss this issue and find a solution to help _______ overcome this habit.
31. Being uncooperative or resistant to following directions from teachers.
_______ tends to ignore the directions given by his teachers, which consumes much of their instruction time in class. Working on being a cooperative pupil can help him become more attentive and improve his overall performance in school.
_______’s uncooperative behavior is making her miss out on several learning opportunities. I’m looking forward to seeing a change in this behavior so she can derive the most out of her learning time at school.
32. Showing no effort or motivation in completing tasks or participating in class activities.
I have seen _______ putting little to no effort into class activities. She needs a lot of encouragement to participate in these activities. Could you please talk to her and try to find what’s holding her back so we can find appropriate strategies to revive her motivation to learn?
_______ needs frequent reminders to complete his tasks because he demonstrates the least motivation to do so by himself. While I appreciate his interest in extracurricular activities, a little more dedication towards study can support his overall development, including academics.
33. Engaging in cheating or dishonest behaviors during assessments.
_______ is an enthusiastic and understanding student. However, very recently, we found her/him cheating during school assessments. As our school does not appreciate such behaviors, we would like her/him to bring about a positive change in herself/himself so she/he never gets involved in such practices in the future.
There have been instances where _______ has resorted to cheating during tests. By discussing the importance of honesty and integrity, I believe he can learn to approach academics with a greater sense of responsibility.
34. Using inappropriate language at school.
I have overheard _______ using language that is not suitable for the classroom environment. While I have spoken to him about choosing words carefully and respectfully, a gentle reminder from you can further reinforce its importance and help him become a better communicator.
_______’s use of inappropriate language often hurts the feelings of her friends and peers. Reminding her about the importance of using respectful language can help her build stronger relationships with everyone.
35. Not taking care of personal belongings or class materials.
_______ tends to misplace her belongings while switching classes. She needs to become more responsible in this sphere so she never loses important items at school or elsewhere.
_______is often found mishandling class materials. I would appreciate it if he could take care of class materials as his own so these important resources are available for every student to learn and benefit from.
36. Displaying aggressive behavior, such as pushing, hitting, or fighting with others.
_______ has a hard time getting along with his classmates. He is seen resorting to hitting and fighting, which creates an unfriendly and unsafe atmosphere in the classroom. We have informed him about the consequences of his actions and hope to not see this kind of behavior again.
_______ needs to be kind and considerate towards her peers and do away with aggressive behaviors. With our guidance and support, we hope she will soon learn to engage in respectful interactions with everyone.
37. Taking others’ belongings without permission.
_______ has the tendency to take her classmates’ belongings without asking. Teaching her the importance of seeking permission can help address this issue. With parental and teacher guidance, I believe she will soon learn to ask for permission and develop better habits.
I have had other students inform me about incidents where _______ has taken items that do not belong to him. As a teacher, I am reinforcing the value of respecting others’ belongings at school. If you could do the same at home, it would help _______ understand why it is important to not repeat this behavior.
38. Lacking empathy towards classmates or not demonstrating kindness.
_______ is a brilliant student but needs to learn the art of showing kindness and compassion toward others. Her efforts can help us create a more inclusive classroom and make other students feel safe and supported.
_______ can work on being a little more kind and empathetic toward his fellow mates. By learning these values, he will grow into a person who leaves a positive impact on this world.
39. Engaging in excessive or disruptive use of electronic devices during class time.
_______ has been frequently using her iPad during class. I would like her to focus more on class activities during instruction time and use devices only when allowed by the teacher.
_______ seems to be easily distracted by electronic devices. He continues to use them when asked not to do so and fails to focus on study material. Hence, he will be required to keep his devices in the locker and use them only after the class is over.
40. Being consistently late or absent from class without a valid reason.
_______ is often late to class without any solid reason. Please ensure she arrives at school on time so that she does not miss important classroom instruction shared with students during the first few minutes of school.
There have been several instances when _______ was absent from class and had no proper reason to share when I asked him. As regular attendance is important for a student’s academic success, I hope to see _______ attend school regularly.
Points to remember when framing negative behavior comments
1. Be clear and concise
It is important to state your concerns clearly and effectively. This way, the student and parents know what behavior you are exactly talking about and how you want them to address it.
2. Give constructive feedback
When writing a comment, providing constructive and meaningful feedback is always better. This way, you will encourage students to reflect on their behavior and find ways to improve it.
3. Choose appropriate words
Your word choice will determine how well your comment is accepted by the parents or guardians of the child. Using harsh language can offend them, which is not what you are aiming at. So instead of saying, “Your child is rude,” you could say, “Your child needs to be kinder and more compassionate.”
4. Highlight the positives as well
It helps to share a positive trait you have observed in the child before talking about the negative one. By doing so, you send across a message that you also see the good in the child and are interested in helping them improve.
5. Share the benefit of giving up negative behavior
Highlighting negative behavior is crucial. But it is also important to tell students what benefit they will achieve by giving up the bad behavior. Your input can encourage them to change their conduct and become a better version of themselves.
In Conclusion
Writing report card comments is a time-consuming task. When you have several students in your class, and your job involves writing specific comments, for example, report card comments for special needs students, comments for end-of-the-year report cards, or on negative behavior, it can get really challenging. Teachers often face this challenge because every word they write must be valid, should meet its purpose, and be able to convey the message correctly.
If you have been finding it hard to put your concerns into appropriate words, feel free to incorporate the above comment ideas in your student report cards so you can do your part in bringing a mindset shift in students so they are more inclined to display positive behaviors and stay away from negative actions.
I am Priyanka Sonkushre, a writer and blogger. I am the person behind “One Loving Mama,” a mom blog. Equipped with a Bachelor’s degree along with an MBA, my healthcare background helps me deeply understand learning difficulties. I know how challenging it can be for parents to find the right resources to help their children excel in life. So, here I am to blend my healthcare expertise with my parenting experience to create valuable and helpful resources for parents and teachers supporting children with learning differences. If you wish, you can follow me on Facebook and LinkedIn.